How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Paul Weller, Goodbooks, The [International] Noise Conspiracy, Savage Garden, Ben Kweller, Mêlée, The Dykeenies, Finch, Silverchair, Marillion, PJ Harvey, Home Grown
They are the performers of twelve “live” music videos that were ranked in various charts, this week (30/52) BUT … in the Noughties 2000s.
1. On which album does The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” appear?
- A House of Balloons
- B Starboy
- C After Hours
2. Which musical genres best describe “Blinding Lights”?
- A Synth-pop, electropop, new wave, synthwave
- B Alternative rock, grunge, indie
- C Hip-hop, R&B, soul
3. Who are two of the writers for “Blinding Lights”?
- A Max Martin and DaHeala
- B Pharrell Williams and Timbaland
- C John Lennon and Paul McCartney
4. What is the main lyrical theme of “Blinding Lights”?
- A Life on the road
- B Longing to reunite with a partner
- C Political change
5. When was “Blinding Lights” released?
- A March 15, 2018
- B November 29, 2019
- C January 10, 2020
6. How long did “Blinding Lights” remain on the US Billboard Hot 100?
- A 30 weeks
- B 70 weeks
- C 90 weeks
7. Which accolade was given to “Blinding Lights” by Billboard in 2021?
- A Best-selling album of the year
- B Best-performing song in Hot 100 history
- C Record of the year
8. In how many countries did “Blinding Lights” top the charts?
- A 13 countries
- B 25 countries
- C Over 40 countries
9. What certification did “Blinding Lights” receive from the RIAA?
- A Gold
- B Platinum
- C Diamond
10. What inspired the 1980s sound of “Blinding Lights”?
- A A retro movie soundtrack
- B The Weeknd’s childhood nostalgia
- C His favorite arcade games
11. Which of these tracks is not a production credit on “Blinding Lights”?
- A The Weeknd
- B Pharrell Williams
- C Oscar Holter
12. Which award did “Blinding Lights” win for its streaming achievement in 2020?
- A Global Music Award
- B IFPI’s best-selling global single
- C Streaming Summit Recognition
1. Which performance inspired Paul Weller to write “From The Floorboards Up”?
- A Live Aid 1985
- B A Glasgow Barrowlands show
- C Woodstock 1969
2. Who is the central character in GoodBooks’ “Passchendaele”?
- A A French general
- B A young British soldier
- C An American nurse
3. Which producer worked on “[International] Noise Conspiracy’s” “Black Mask”?
- A Phil Spector
- B Quincy Jones
- C Rick Rubin
4. What is the primary theme of Savage Garden’s “Affirmation”?
- A Romantic love
- B Philosophical beliefs
- C Economic theories
5. Who contributed guitar to Ben Kweller’s “The Rules”?
- A Mike Stroud
- B Jimmy Page
- C Eric Clapton
6. Which iconic film scene is referenced in Mêlée’s “Built To Last” music video?
- A The Matrix’s bullet-dodging
- B Titanic’s ship bow pose
- C Star Wars’ lightsaber duel
7. The Dykeenies originated from which Scottish town?
- A Edinburgh
- B Cumbernauld
- C Glasgow
8. What genre best describes Finch’s “Bitemarks And Bloodstains”?
- A Jazz
- B Classical
- C Post-hardcore
9. Which instrument did Daniel Johns notably use in Silverchair’s “The Greatest View”?
- A A Gibson Les Paul
- B A Fender Stratocaster
- C A Rickenbacker 12-string guitar
10. What perspective do the lyrics of Marillion’s “Don’t Hurt Yourself” convey?
- A Mourning a lost opportunity
- B Resilience and perspective
- C Nostalgia for past glories
11. Which unique instrument does PJ Harvey play on “Uh Huh Her”?
- A Trumpet
- B Autoharp
- C Saxophone
12. What month and year was Home Grown’s “You’re Not Alone” released?
- A May 2002
- B December 2001
- C July 2003
Tracklist
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1 . Paul Weller – From The Floorboards UpFeatured on the 2005 album “As Is Now”.
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2 . Goodbooks – PasschendaeleFeatured on the 2007 album “Control”.
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3 . The [International] Noise Conspiracy – Black MaskFeatured on the 2001 album “Armed Love”.
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4 . Savage Garden – AffirmationFeatured on the 1999 album “Affirmation”.
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5 . Ben Kweller – The RulesFeatured on the 2002 album “On My Way”.
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6 . Mêlée – Built To LastFeatured on the 2007 album “Devils & Angels”.
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7 . The Dykeenies – Clean Up Your EyesFeatured on the 2007 album “Nothing Means Everything”.
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8 . Finch – Bitemarks And BloodstainsFeatured on the 2005 album “Say Hello to Sunshine”.
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9 . Silverchair – The Greatest ViewFeatured on the 2002 album “Diorama”.
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10 . Marillion – Don’t Hurt YourselfFeatured on the 1994 album “Marbles”.
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11 . PJ Harvey – You Come ThroughFeatured on the 2004 album “Uh Huh Her“. |
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12 . Home Grown – You’re Not AloneFeatured on the 1999 album “Kings Of Pop”.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “From The Floorboards Up” was inspired by a memorable performance at Glasgow Barrowlands. This track also marked a significant point in Paul Weller’s solo career, reaching the UK charts swiftly.
2. The song “Passchendaele” centers around a young British soldier named Jack. His story highlights the tragedy of war, adding emotional depth to GoodBooks’ debut album.
3. Rick Rubin, the famed producer, helped craft the sound of “Black Mask”. His influence is evident in the album’s energetic punk and garage rock fusion.
4. “Affirmation” focuses on various philosophical beliefs, with lyrics expressing personal and societal convictions. The song’s live performance was notably part of the Sydney Olympic Games closing ceremony.
5. Mike Stroud played guitar on “The Rules”, adding his distinct sound to Ben Kweller’s indie rock track. The song’s release included a UK vinyl edition capturing its unique charm.
6. Mêlée’s video for “Built To Last” nods to the iconic Titanic ship bow pose. The video blends pop culture homages with the band’s signature piano-driven style.
7. The Dykeenies hail from Cumbernauld, Scotland, bringing their indie rock sounds to prominence with “Clean Up Your Eyes”. The track reflects their post-punk influences.
8. Finch’s “Bitemarks And Bloodstains” belongs to the post-hardcore genre. This track represents the transition in Finch’s musical evolution, offering a bridge between their styles.
9. Daniel Johns employed a Rickenbacker 12-string guitar on “The Greatest View”. The song’s successful chart performance underscored its striking arrangement.
10. “Don’t Hurt Yourself” conveys themes of resilience and perspective. This Marillion track serves as a reminder to look beyond immediate challenges.
11. PJ Harvey’s “Uh Huh Her” showcases her playing the autoharp. This contributes to the album’s haunting quality, with Harvey handling most of the creative process herself.
12. “You’re Not Alone” by Home Grown was released in May 2002. The song reflects both personal experiences and universal themes, underlined by its engaging pop-punk sound.
And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “Blinding Lights” appears on The Weeknd’s fourth studio album, “After Hours.” The album was released in 2020, and it showcases a return to 1980s music influences.
2. The track is aptly described by genres like synth-pop, electropop, new wave, and synthwave. This is evident in its retro, synthesized beats and melodies.
3. Max Martin and DaHeala are two of the writers behind “Blinding Lights.” Both have collaborated with The Weeknd on multiple successful projects.
4. The lyrics of “Blinding Lights” revolve around the desire to reunite with a romantic partner, emphasizing feelings of longing during night-time hours.
5. “Blinding Lights” was released on November 29, 2019. The song quickly became one of The Weeknd’s signature hits.
6. Impressively, “Blinding Lights” spent a record-breaking 90 weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100. The track’s longevity contributed to its historic status.
7. Billboard awarded “Blinding Lights” the title of the best-performing song in Hot 100 history in 2021. It surpassed previous records due to its lengthy chart duration.
8. The song topped the charts in over 40 countries, demonstrating its wide international appeal across various music markets.
9. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified “Blinding Lights” diamond. This certification reflects its high sales and streaming numbers.
10. The Weeknd drew inspiration from the 1980s landscape of music, providing a nostalgic feel that aligns with the track’s lively arrangement.
11. Pharrell Williams is not a producer on “Blinding Lights.” The track’s production was handled by The Weeknd, Max Martin, and Oscar Holter.
12. In 2020, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) recognized “Blinding Lights” as the best-selling global single. The hit single was remarkable for its worldwide digital performance.
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